Run-fest in Sylhet as Irfan hits ton in Cox’s Bazar

Batters dominated the third day of the National Cricket League’s (NCL) second round, with Dhaka piling up 547-6 before declaring in Sylhet and Chattogram posting 576 in Cox’s Bazar, where Irfan Sukkur struck a century.

Irfan, who was unbeaten on 92 at the end of the second day, completed his third first-class century on Monday.

Three matches are heading towards decisive results, with Rangpur building a commanding lead against Mymensingh, Khulna pushing Rajshahi towards an innings defeat and Barishal struggling to keep Chattogram at bay.

At the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, hosts Sylhet reached 431-5 in reply to Dhaka’s 547-6 declared, leaving them 116 runs behind on the first innings.

Dhaka’s total was built on centuries from Mohammad Naim (137), Marshall Ayub (175) and Mahidul Islam Ankon (108).

Sylhet responded with half-centuries from Asadulla Al Galib, who made 89, Ashraful Hasan Rihad, unbeaten on 81, Zakir Hasan (65) and Shykat Ali (60). Tofael Ahmed was not out on 56 at stumps.

At the Sylhet Academy Ground, Rangpur strengthened their position against Mymensingh by reaching 195-6 in their second innings.

Rangpur had posted 422-9 in the first innings before bowling Mymensingh out for 295, with Mushfik Hasan, Shadhin Islam and Iqbal Hossain claiming three wickets apiece. The 127-run first-innings lead has now grown to 322.

Captain Akbar Ali led the second-innings effort with 74 off 97 balls, putting Rangpur firmly in control.

In Mirpur, Rajshahi were fighting to avoid an innings defeat against Khulna after being bowled out for just 119 in their first innings. Khulna responded with 484, with Nihaduzzaman taking four wickets for Rajshahi.

Rajshahi showed greater resistance in their second innings, reaching 300-3 by the close. Habibur Rahman Sohan made 90, Sabbir Hossain scored 88 and Nayeem Ahmed contributed 69 before all three were dismissed.

Rajshahi still need 66 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

In Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram piled up 576 before dismissing their first-innings effort against Barishal, thanks to centuries from Sadikur (149), Shahadat (109) and Irfan Shukkur (112).

Barishal reached 149-4 in their second innings at stumps but still need another 146 runs to avoid an innings defeat.